This sermon series looks at the dynamics of the Christian life from Scripture following the storyline of the Christian classic, The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. In the month of February, we followed Christian as he journeyed from the City of Destruction to the House of Interpreter as we ended the month looking at the first two lessons. After a break for the Missions Conference we will pick up with Christian still with Interpreter as he learns five additional lessons. The schedule below will assist you in keeping up with each week's reading in Bunyan's work and the main Scripture for each message.

March 11. Part two of "Excellent Things for the Journey." The Pilgrim's Progress reading will cover the House of Interpreter Lessons 3-4. Matthew 6:19-24 and Philippians 1:6.

March 18. Part three of "Excellent Things for the Journey." Pilgrim's Progress reading will cover the House of Interpreter Lessons 5-7. 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

March 25. Rev. Braford Green will be preaching. Palm Sunday.

I trust you are being encouraged.

All the best, Tim

]]>"The Journey" sermon series will continue in March.

This sermon series looks at the dynamics of the Christian life from Scripture following the storyline of the Christian classic, The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. In the month of February, we followed Christian as he journeyed from the City of Destruction to the House of Interpreter as we ended the month looking at the first two lessons. After a break for the Missions Conference we will pick up with Christian still with Interpreter as he learns five additional lessons. The schedule below will assist you in keeping up with each week's reading in Bunyan's work and the main Scripture for each message.

March 11. Part two of "Excellent Things for the Journey." The Pilgrim's Progress reading will cover the House of Interpreter Lessons 3-4. Matthew 6:19-24 and Philippians 1:6.

March 18. Part three of "Excellent Things for the Journey." Pilgrim's Progress reading will cover the House of Interpreter Lessons 5-7. 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Do you want to have access to an up-to-date church directory, give online or by text or review your church giving history whenever you want? Through “Realm” you are now able to accomplish these tasks and more.

“Realm” is a secure cloud-based church management system Covenant’s staff has used for several years to manage member and visitor data and donor giving records. We want to expand the use of Realm congregation-wide by encouraging you to set up individual secure accounts to access your personal data, the church directory, your personal giving records and history and to utilize the online giving option (explained below).

How do I set up an account? There are two ways to set up an account. First, our church office will be sending out invitations to set up an account to everyone in our database. Look for an email invitation from Realm and just follow the instructions provided. Second, you can register for a new account by clicking here. All you need to provide is a username (your email address) and a password.

Once you have an account you can ...

Access your profile

Access the church directory

Access your giving records and history

Give online

And more …

Go to Realm’s website to learn more about this powerful tool: Click Here.

I hope you will set up an account with Realm and begin benefiting from our church information management system.

Online giving option is here! Covenant is set up for online giving for those who wish to take advantage of this way to give. You can give online directly from your Realm account or by Clicking the “Give” button on our website. Click here for the website. You may make a one-time gift or set up recurring giving. For those who choose to utilize online giving at Covenant, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Payment Processor. Credit Card / Debit Card processing is through VANCO, a preferred payment processor. None of your Credit Card / Debit Card information will be stored at or available to Covenant. Your information will be secure.

Funds. Initially, you will be able to give to the General Fund, Missions Fund, Deacon’s Fund, and the Building Fund. We hope to expand the giving options in the future.

Text to give option. An additional giving option at Covenant is “text to give.” To give by text

Do you want to have access to an up-to-date church directory, give online or by text or review your church giving history whenever you want? Through “Realm” you are now able to accomplish these tasks and more.

“Realm” is a secure cloud-based church management system Covenant’s staff has used for several years to manage member and visitor data and donor giving records. We want to expand the use of Realm congregation-wide by encouraging you to set up individual secure accounts to access your personal data, the church directory, your personal giving records and history and to utilize the online giving option (explained below).

How do I set up an account? There are two ways to set up an account. First, our church office will be sending out invitations to set up an account to everyone in our database. Look for an email invitation from Realm and just follow the instructions provided. Second, you can register for a new account by clicking here. All you need to provide is a username (your email address) and a password.

Once you have an account you can ...

Access your profile

Access the church directory

Access your giving records and history

Give online

And more …

Go to Realm’s website to learn more about this powerful tool: Click Here.

I hope you will set up an account with Realm and begin benefiting from our church information management system.

Online giving option is here! Covenant is set up for online giving for those who wish to take advantage of this way to give. You can give online directly from your Realm account or by Clicking the “Give” button on our website. Click here for the website. You may make a one-time gift or set up recurring giving. For those who choose to utilize online giving at Covenant, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Payment Processor. Credit Card / Debit Card processing is through VANCO, a preferred payment processor. None of your Credit Card / Debit Card information will be stored at or available to Covenant. Your information will be secure.

Funds. Initially, you will be able to give to the General Fund, Missions Fund, Deacon’s Fund, and the Building Fund. We hope to expand the giving options in the future.

Text to give option. An additional giving option at Covenant is “text to give.” To give by text

Pastor's Perspective

August 2017

As we transition from Summer to Fall, I want to update you on a number of exciting developments in the life of Covenant. May we be encouraged with these words: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).

New Staff Position at Covenant.

The Session is pleased to announce the addition of long-time member and Deacon Bruce Hurlbut to our ministry staff as Ministries Coordinator. Bruce has served faithfully over the years in many capacities at Covenant and now will be formerly part of our church staff. This is a part-time, non-compensated position as Bruce will continue to work full-time at Windstream. His duties will begin September 1 and include coordinating Covenant’s small groups ministry, assimilation of new members, and outreach (mercy) ministries. Bruce will share with the congregation his vision for this position on September 3rd during the morning worship service. Join me in welcoming Bruce to our staff.

Student Ministries Coordinators.

We are grateful for God’s provision for leadership of our Student Ministries with Joshua Keel’s transition to be a campus minister with RUF (Reformed University Ministries) at Georgia Southern. Members Tasha Fennell and Lee Rosener were approved by the Session as Co-coordinators and began serving in July. Lee is responsible for the teaching ministry and Tasha focuses on body life and administration. We are looking forward to a great Fall in our Student Ministries at Covenant under Lee and Tasha’s leadership.

Associate Pastor Search and Vision Banquet.

The Session is well underway planning for the addition of an associate pastor to our staff. We are in the early stages of this process but have made good progress. Our goal is to host a vision banquet in the Fall of this year to share our plan for staffing with the congregation. More information will follow in the coming months.

Lord's Supper Observance Change.

Covenant’s practice over the years for distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper has been for elders to pass the elements to congregants in the pews. While this method has served us well and is a legitimate practice, the Session has approved a new plan that will emphasize active participation in the sacrament by not only partaking of the elements but also, “coming to the Table.” The new manner of receiving the elements will be congregants coming forward and taking the bread and wine (or grape juice) from the elders positioned in the front of the sanctuary before the pulpit platform. Provisions will be made for those who are unable to come to the front. Though many PCA churches observe the Lord’s Supper in this manner, this will be a significant change for Covenant. To help us navigate this new practice, we are planning to scheduled a communion service on a Sunday evening to introduce the details of this new plan for celebrating Communion.

Pastor's Perspective

August 2017

As we transition from Summer to Fall, I want to update you on a number of exciting developments in the life of Covenant. May we be encouraged with these words: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).

New Staff Position at Covenant.

The Session is pleased to announce the addition of long-time member and Deacon Bruce Hurlbut to our ministry staff as Ministries Coordinator. Bruce has served faithfully over the years in many capacities at Covenant and now will be formerly part of our church staff. This is a part-time, non-compensated position as Bruce will continue to work full-time at Windstream. His duties will begin September 1 and include coordinating Covenant’s small groups ministry, assimilation of new members, and outreach (mercy) ministries. Bruce will share with the congregation his vision for this position on September 3rd during the morning worship service. Join me in welcoming Bruce to our staff.

Student Ministries Coordinators.

We are grateful for God’s provision for leadership of our Student Ministries with Joshua Keel’s transition to be a campus minister with RUF (Reformed University Ministries) at Georgia Southern. Members Tasha Fennell and Lee Rosener were approved by the Session as Co-coordinators and began serving in July. Lee is responsible for the teaching ministry and Tasha focuses on body life and administration. We are looking forward to a great Fall in our Student Ministries at Covenant under Lee and Tasha’s leadership.

Associate Pastor Search and Vision Banquet.

The Session is well underway planning for the addition of an associate pastor to our staff. We are in the early stages of this process but have made good progress. Our goal is to host a vision banquet in the Fall of this year to share our plan for staffing with the congregation. More information will follow in the coming months.

Lord's Supper Observance Change.

Covenant’s practice over the years for distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper has been for elders to pass the elements to congregants in the pews. While this method has served us well and is a legitimate practice, the Session has approved a new plan that will emphasize active participation in the sacrament by not only partaking of the elements but also, “coming to the Table.” The new manner of receiving the elements will be congregants coming forward and taking the bread and wine (or grape juice) from the elders positioned in the front of the sanctuary before the pulpit platform. Provisions will be made for those who are unable to come to the front. Though many PCA churches observe the Lord’s Supper in this manner, this will be a significant change for Covenant. To help us navigate this new practice, we are planning to scheduled a communion service on a Sunday evening to introduce the details of this new plan for celebrating Communion.

]]>M&M's for 2017http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/m-m-
http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/m-m-#commentsWed, 26 Apr 2017 14:00:00 -0500http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/m-m-Meal & Ministry (M&M) is a congregation-wide opportunity to build fellowship and foster a heart for ministry to our community and the world.

This initiative builds on the success of two incredible ministry events last year, “Feed the Funnel Party” (a ministry to feed needy families in Central Arkansas), and “Operation Christmas Child” (a ministry to provide Christmas gift boxes to needy children around the world).

This year we will come together every other month after Sunday worship to share a meal and focus on ministry. M&M is for the whole family. Each event will seek to engage children and adults.

We are off to a great start. Our first M&M for 2017 took place on January 22nd. We enjoyed fellowship around a meal and featured International Friendship Outreach (learn more about IFO and other outreach ministries of Covenant), a ministry Covenant has been involved with for years. It was a special treat to have international students join with us. A student from Nepal shared her inspiring testimony of how the IFO ministry has impacted her life.

To help you plan, the schedule is listed below.

March 12 Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center (Crisis Pregnancy).

May 21 STEP Ministries (Inner City Ministry).

July 9 Care Bags for the Needy.

September 10 Ministering to the Hungry.

November 5 Operation Christmas Child.

As I shared on Sunday, January 22nd in the sermon, God has given us our marching orders in Micah 6:8, “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” I would like to see justice, mercy, and faithfulness to God be our mission for 2017. The goal of M&M is to help us honor and please God by pursuing these three priorities. I hope you will join us March 12th for our next M&M.

All the best in Christ,

Tim

]]>Meal & Ministry (M&M) is a congregation-wide opportunity to build fellowship and foster a heart for ministry to our community and the world.

This initiative builds on the success of two incredible ministry events last year, “Feed the Funnel Party” (a ministry to feed needy families in Central Arkansas), and “Operation Christmas Child” (a ministry to provide Christmas gift boxes to needy children around the world).

This year we will come together every other month after Sunday worship to share a meal and focus on ministry. M&M is for the whole family. Each event will seek to engage children and adults.

We are off to a great start. Our first M&M for 2017 took place on January 22nd. We enjoyed fellowship around a meal and featured International Friendship Outreach (learn more about IFO and other outreach ministries of Covenant), a ministry Covenant has been involved with for years. It was a special treat to have international students join with us. A student from Nepal shared her inspiring testimony of how the IFO ministry has impacted her life.

To help you plan, the schedule is listed below.

March 12 Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center (Crisis Pregnancy).

May 21 STEP Ministries (Inner City Ministry).

July 9 Care Bags for the Needy.

September 10 Ministering to the Hungry.

November 5 Operation Christmas Child.

As I shared on Sunday, January 22nd in the sermon, God has given us our marching orders in Micah 6:8, “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” I would like to see justice, mercy, and faithfulness to God be our mission for 2017. The goal of M&M is to help us honor and please God by pursuing these three priorities. I hope you will join us March 12th for our next M&M.

All the best in Christ,

Tim

]]>Christmas at Covenanthttp://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/christmas-at-covenant
http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/christmas-at-covenant#commentsThu, 17 Nov 2016 08:00:00 -0600http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/christmas-at-covenantI am excited about this year's observances of Advent and Christmas at Covenant. It is my hope that these services will help you and your family celebrate a truly Christ-centered Christmas.

The four Sundays of Advent prepare us for observing the birth of our Savior on Christmas day. Each Sunday of Advent will focus on a theme that is presented through an Advent reading by members of the congregation.

First Sunday. On November 27th the theme is HOPE.

Second Sunday. The theme of PEACE will be considered on December 4th.

Third Sunday. JOY is the theme for this Advent Sunday on December 11th.

Fourth Sunday. The service on December 18th will highlight the theme of LOVE.

The Christmas Eve Service (5:30 pm) is the culmination of our Advent observance. At this service we will have our last Advent reading. A brief message and partaking of the Lord's Supper form the centerpiece of this service. We conclude this service with a candlelight service and the singing of "Silent Night."

Christmas Day Sunday service will begin at 10:45 am. Our liturgy for this special service will be adapted from a service first developed by Archbishop Benson of Truro, "The Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols." Sunday School will be canceled for this Sunday only. Parents should plan on bringing their children to worship as child care will not be provided.

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

]]>I am excited about this year's observances of Advent and Christmas at Covenant. It is my hope that these services will help you and your family celebrate a truly Christ-centered Christmas.

The four Sundays of Advent prepare us for observing the birth of our Savior on Christmas day. Each Sunday of Advent will focus on a theme that is presented through an Advent reading by members of the congregation.

First Sunday. On November 27th the theme is HOPE.

Second Sunday. The theme of PEACE will be considered on December 4th.

Third Sunday. JOY is the theme for this Advent Sunday on December 11th.

Fourth Sunday. The service on December 18th will highlight the theme of LOVE.

The Christmas Eve Service (5:30 pm) is the culmination of our Advent observance. At this service we will have our last Advent reading. A brief message and partaking of the Lord's Supper form the centerpiece of this service. We conclude this service with a candlelight service and the singing of "Silent Night."

Christmas Day Sunday service will begin at 10:45 am. Our liturgy for this special service will be adapted from a service first developed by Archbishop Benson of Truro, "The Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols." Sunday School will be canceled for this Sunday only. Parents should plan on bringing their children to worship as child care will not be provided.

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

]]>New Sermon Serieshttp://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/new-sermon-series
http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/new-sermon-series#commentsWed, 19 Oct 2016 19:00:00 -0500http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/new-sermon-seriesCalled to Christ to live for Christ. This is the theme of the sermon series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. Check out the introductory sermon in this series, "Grace to You and Peace."

The heartbeat of Ephesians is represented in the salutation, "grace to you and peace."

The big picture of Ephesians is to be understood for the purposes of this sermon series in light of this theme statement: The Book of Ephesians is about God calling His saints by His glorious and rich grace in Christ to saving faith and then enabling them by grace to be faithful as they live in a manner worthy of this calling, a life characterized by peace.

The first 3 Chapters of Ephesians is a grand and glorious exposition of the riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus in redeeming a people to be his saints and his church. God tells us who He is and He tells us who we are in Christ. It is orthodoxy – the right doctrine of redemption we might say. It is indicatives – statements of fact about who God is and who we are in Christ. The summary of these facts is the "riches of his grace" (1:7).

The second half of the letter (4-6) is about orthopraxis. Orthodoxy, right doctrine, leads to orthopraxis, right living. Chapters 1-3 are the indicatives – who God is and who we are in Christ - and 4-6 are the imperatives – commands, duty, responsibilities. The key point is the imperatives, how we live, follow the indicatives, the facts about God and who we are in Christ. Right doctrine, orthodoxy, flows into right living, orthopraxis.

]]>Called to Christ to live for Christ. This is the theme of the sermon series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. Check out the introductory sermon in this series, "Grace to You and Peace."

The heartbeat of Ephesians is represented in the salutation, "grace to you and peace."

The big picture of Ephesians is to be understood for the purposes of this sermon series in light of this theme statement: The Book of Ephesians is about God calling His saints by His glorious and rich grace in Christ to saving faith and then enabling them by grace to be faithful as they live in a manner worthy of this calling, a life characterized by peace.

The first 3 Chapters of Ephesians is a grand and glorious exposition of the riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus in redeeming a people to be his saints and his church. God tells us who He is and He tells us who we are in Christ. It is orthodoxy – the right doctrine of redemption we might say. It is indicatives – statements of fact about who God is and who we are in Christ. The summary of these facts is the "riches of his grace" (1:7).

The second half of the letter (4-6) is about orthopraxis. Orthodoxy, right doctrine, leads to orthopraxis, right living. Chapters 1-3 are the indicatives – who God is and who we are in Christ - and 4-6 are the imperatives – commands, duty, responsibilities. The key point is the imperatives, how we live, follow the indicatives, the facts about God and who we are in Christ. Right doctrine, orthodoxy, flows into right living, orthopraxis.

This past Sunday at Covenant was our "Local Missions" emphasis Sunday. During the Sunday school hour, we heard reports from our mercy ministry partners: International Fellowship Outreach (IFO), Serving to Equip People (STEP), Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center, Evangelical Immigration Alliance, and Vine and Village: Orchard Food Pantry. After morning worship, the church body came together and participated in a "Feed the Funnel Party", organized by the Pack Shack. As a church family, we packaged 10,728 meals to be distributed to our neighbor in need through the Orchard Food Pantry, which reaches out to hungry families in the 72204 zip code. One of our members who served said, "this is the best event Covenant has ever done."

Thanks to everyone who served side by side to make a difference in our community. Faithful job, Covenant

You can view pictures from the party at this link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskKzZ8JF

]]>Wow! What a crazy fun party!

This past Sunday at Covenant was our "Local Missions" emphasis Sunday. During the Sunday school hour, we heard reports from our mercy ministry partners: International Fellowship Outreach (IFO), Serving to Equip People (STEP), Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center, Evangelical Immigration Alliance, and Vine and Village: Orchard Food Pantry. After morning worship, the church body came together and participated in a "Feed the Funnel Party", organized by the Pack Shack. As a church family, we packaged 10,728 meals to be distributed to our neighbor in need through the Orchard Food Pantry, which reaches out to hungry families in the 72204 zip code. One of our members who served said, "this is the best event Covenant has ever done."

Thanks to everyone who served side by side to make a difference in our community. Faithful job, Covenant

You can view pictures from the party at this link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskKzZ8JF

]]>Welcome to our new site!http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/welcome
http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/welcome#commentsTue, 27 Sep 2016 16:00:00 -0500http://www.covenantpca.com/blog/post/welcomeI hope you find the look, content and layout of this site helpful.

I wish to thank our deacons who allocated funds for this endeavor and several people - you know who you are - who reviewed templates. In particular, I wish to thank Kaitlin Monroe who has been invaluable in creating the site - thanks Kaitlin.

In our technological age, websites often serve as the first impression of an organization; and this is true for the church. So many folks who visit Covenant speak about finding us on the web. My hope is this site will represent us well and be a means to further the work of Christ's church.

Feel free to drop me a note with any suggestions and yes corrections.

All the best and peace,

Tim

]]>I hope you find the look, content and layout of this site helpful.

I wish to thank our deacons who allocated funds for this endeavor and several people - you know who you are - who reviewed templates. In particular, I wish to thank Kaitlin Monroe who has been invaluable in creating the site - thanks Kaitlin.

In our technological age, websites often serve as the first impression of an organization; and this is true for the church. So many folks who visit Covenant speak about finding us on the web. My hope is this site will represent us well and be a means to further the work of Christ's church.